Advanced Air Takes Over Surf Air Flying

Southern California-based business aircraft operator Advanced Air has assumed operations of all Surf Air flights in the Golden State. Surf Air has a fleet of 15 Pilatus PC-12s. (Photo: Surf Air)

Surf Air, the Santa Monica, California-based broker of all-you-can-fly charter flights in California, Texas, and Europe, ended its flights with Encompass Aviation on June 15, and flights are now being operated by charter/management provider Advanced Air. Encompass had been flying Surf Air's routes since last March.

According to Surf Air chairman and CEO Sudhin Shahani, Advanced Air began flying Surf Air customers yesterday. Surf Air owns 12 Pilatus PC-12 turboprop singles, and in 2015 placed an order for 15 plus options for an additional 50.

“Four of the aircraft were transferred and leased to Tradewind Aviation, our third-party flight operator in Texas,” Shahani told AIN. “The balance of the aircraft are expected to transition to Advanced Air.”

Advanced Air is based at Hawthorne Municipal Airport in southern California, where it operates the JetCenter Los Angeles FBO, and it will fly Surf Air members, who pay a monthly fee to fly as often as they wish, in Advanced and Surf Air airplanes. “Surf Air preferred members will also benefit from favored price access to Advanced Air’s charter fleet, including the King Air 350, Pilatus PC-12, and Learjet 45,” according to Surf Air.

Surf Air is facing liens imposed by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service for a total of $2,330,323.10 in unpaid taxes, according to documents filed with the California Secretary of State’s office. The taxes were assessed quarterly and cover periods through the end of 2016 and all of 2017. Asked for confirmation that Surf Air is subject to IRS liens for unpaid excise taxes, Shahani said, “This matter is under review and we cannot comment at this time.”

In California, Surf Air’s flights serve San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Las Vegas, Monterey, and Napa. In Europe, Surf Air does not own any of the aircraft flown for its customers. “We have a partnership with JetClass that provides members with service to 10 city pairs in Europe,” Shahani said.